May 22, 2013
President Barack Obama
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
I am Founder & President of SelassieStandUp.Org, a US- based, grassroots organization established to promote and advance the interests of Africans and peoples of African descent. As the African Union (AU), formerly known as the Organization of African Unity celebrates its 50th Anniversary on May 25, 2013, the SelassieStandUp.Org project calls for a statue of His Imperial Majesty (HIM) Emperor Haile Selassie to be erected center front of the African Union (AU) Headquarters, alongside former Ghanian President Kwame Nkrumah. Several AU member countries, as well as the Ethiopian Government, have already expressed their endorsement of the SelassieStandUp.Org project. Africans and peoples of African descent, also ask for your support in the following ways:
- An official statement endorsing the SelassieStandUp.Org project
- Signing the petition: [http://www.change.org/petitions/the-african-union-au-build-statute-of-his-majesty-emperor-haile-selassie-center-front-of-au-building].
- An official speech to AU leadership at the Golden Jubilee acknowledging HIM’s leading role in establishing the OAU, and your support of the call for a statue to be erected of HIM center front of the AU Headquarters
- A press release commemorating the Golden Jubilee of the OAU, and the call for a statue of HIM to be erected upon your return to the United States
The U.S. has had a special partnership with Ethiopia for over 100 years. HIM Emperor Haile Selassie deserves the distinguished honor and recognition for his visionary leadership, and for the leading role he played in establishing the OAU/AU as well as advancing the interest of Africa, peoples of African descent, and global citizens of the world.
Emperor Haile Selassie’s unwavering commitment and contributions to African unity, global peace, and collective security are unmatched by any other World Leader. From 1960 -1964, Emperor Haile Selassie sent over 3,000 Ethiopian troops to Congo to restore peace and stability, and to ensure a free, independent, and unified Congo. As the First Chairman to preside over the OAU, and the only person to have served as Chairman of the OAU more than once, Emperor Haile Selassie successfully negotiated and resolved many conflicts. The Bamako Accords, which brought an end to the border conflict between North African countries, Morocco and Algeria, and The Addis Ababa Agreement, which put an end to the First Sudanese Civil War from 1955-1972, are prime examples.
Under the leadership of HIM, Ethiopia was also a staunch ally of the US. During the Korean War in 1951, Emperor Haile Selassie sent over 3,000 Ethiopian troops to fight as part of the US 7th Infantry Division. The Ethiopian troops fought against Communist North Korea and its ally, China in over 253 battles, including the Battle of Pork Chop Hill, in which not one Ethiopian was taken prisoner of war! As the AU building was constructed with a capital expenditure of $200 Million by the Chinese Government in Addis Ababa, we can only ask why HIM Emperor Haile Selassie was denied a statue, and his rightful place in history center front of the AU Headquarters.
Emperor Haile Selassie is commended both within and outside of Africa for his unparalleled efforts and commitment to global peace and collective security. In light of the Emperor’s unmatched contributions to the freedom, independence, and unity of Africa and African peoples, we, Africans and peoples of African descent, with the utmost conviction, believe HIM Emperor Haile Selassie should be accorded with distinguished honor and recognition.
SelassieStandUp.Org, on behalf of Africans and the Black Diaspora, calls for a statue of HIM Emperor Haile Selassie center front of the AU Headquarters for HIM’s foresight, visionary leadership, distinguished role, and everlasting contributions to the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU)/AU, and for HIM’s unparalleled contributions in struggling for the freedom, independence, and unity of Africa and peoples of African descent.
President Obama, we look forward to your endorsement of the SelassieStandUp.org project. Your support will help ensure HIM Emperor Haile Selasssie is accorded his rightful place in history and reassure America’s commitment to Africa and African peoples. Let us celebrate the Golden Jubilee on May 25, 2013, by calling for a statute to be erected center front of the AU Headquarters building for the “Father of Africa,” HIM Emperor Haile Selassie.
Yours Sincerely,
Nebyat Aklilu Demessie
Founder & President
SelassieStandUp.Org
May 22, 2013
Honorable John Kerry
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Dear Mr. Secretary:
I am Founder & President of SelassieStandUp.Org, a US- based, grassroots organization established to promote and advance the interests of Africans and peoples of African descent. As the African Union (AU), formerly known as the Organization of African Unity (OAU) celebrates its 50th Anniversary on May 25, 2013, the SelassieStandUp.Org project calls for a statue of His Imperial Majesty (HIM) Emperor Haile Selassie to be erected center front of the African Union (AU) Headquarters, alongside former Ghanian President Kwame Nkrumah. Several AU member countries, as well as the Ethiopian Government, have already expressed their endorsement of the SelassieStandUp.Org project. Africans and peoples of African descent also ask for your support in the following ways:
- An Official Statement endorsing the SelassieStandUp.Org project
- Signing the petition: [http://www.change.org/petitions/the-african-union-au-build-statute-of-his-majesty-emperor-haile-selassie-center-front-of-au-building].
- An Official Speech to AU leadership at the Golden Jubilee acknowledging HIM’s leading role in establishing the OAU, and your support of the call for a statue to be erected of HIM center front of the AU Headquarters
- A press release commemorating the Golden Jubilee of the OAU, and the call for a statue of HIM to be erected upon your return to the United States
The U.S. has had a special partnership with Ethiopia for over 100 years. HIM Emperor Haile Selassie deserves distinguished honor and recognition for his visionary leadership, and for the leading role he played in establishing the OAU/AU as well as advancing the interest of Africa, peoples of African descent, and global citizens of the world.
Emperor Haile Selassie’s unwavering commitment and contributions to African unity, global peace, and collective security are unmatched by any other World Leader. From 1960 -1964, Emperor Haile Selassie sent over 3,000 Ethiopian troops to Congo to restore peace and stability, and to ensure a free, independent, and unified Congo. As the First Chairman to preside over the OAU, and the only person to have served as Chairman of the OAU more than once, Emperor Haile Selassie successfully negotiated and resolved many conflicts. The Bamako Accords, which brought an end to the border conflict between North African countries, Morocco and Algeria, and The Addis Ababa Agreement, which put an end to the First Sudanese Civil War from 1955-1972, are prime examples.
Under the leadership of HIM, Ethiopia was also a staunch ally of the US. During the Korean War in 1951, Emperor Haile Selassie sent over 3,000 Ethiopian troops to fight as part of the US 7th Infantry Division. The Ethiopian troops fought against Communist North Korea and its ally, China in over 253 battles, including the Battle of Pork Chop Hill, in which not one Ethiopian was taken prisoner of war! As the AU building was constructed with a capital expenditure of $200 Million by the Chinese Government in Addis Ababa, we can only ask why HIM Emperor Haile Selassie was denied a statue, and his rightful place in history center front of the AU Headquarters.
Emperor Haile Selassie is commended both within and outside of Africa for his unparalleled efforts and commitment to global peace and collective security. In light of the Emperor’s unmatched contributions to the freedom, independence, and unity of Africa and African peoples, we, Africans and peoples of African descent, with the utmost conviction, believe HIM Emperor Haile Selassie should be accorded with distinguished honor and recognition.
SelassieStandUp.Org, on behalf of Africans and the Black Diaspora, calls for a statue of HIM Emperor Haile Selassie center front of the AU Headquarters for HIM’s foresight, visionary leadership, distinguished role, and everlasting contributions to the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU)/AU, and for HIM’s unparalleled contributions in struggling for the freedom, independence, and unity of Africa and peoples of African descent.
Secretary Kerry, we look forward to your endorsement of the SelassieStandUp.org project. Your support will help ensure HIM Emperor Haile Selasssie is accorded his rightful place in history and reassure America’s commitment to Africa and African peoples. Let us celebrate the Golden Jubilee on May 25, 2013, by calling for a statute to be erected center front of the AU Headquarters building for the “Father of Africa,” HIM Emperor Haile Selassie.
Yours Sincerely,
Nebyat Aklilu Demessie
Founder & President
SelassieStandUp.Org